If you’ve ever wondered how to use castor oil beyond the occasional skin fix or wellness trend, we’ve got you covered in this blog.
Castor oil isn’t just something your grandma knew about—it’s something wellness circles can’t stop rediscovering. From lymphatic flow to gentle detox rituals, castor oil is everywhere!
This thick, golden oil has a long history of traditional use, but today, people are revisiting the benefits of castor oil with fresh eyes and getting creative with how it fits into whole-body support. What used to be known mainly as a laxative or skin soother is now part of a much bigger conversation about internal balance, energy flow, and simple tools that actually work.
In this blog, we’ll share 12 powerful and practical ways to use castor oil, whether you’re a practitioner integrating it into client protocols or someone exploring how to support your own body with simple, powerful tools.
What is Castor Oil?
Castor oil, made from castor beans, is 90% ricinoleic acid. This monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid gives castor oil its distinct texture and therapeutic qualities.
Ricinoleic acid has been shown to be anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial, helping reduce local inflammation, fight off certain pathogens, and support the skin and mucosal barriers.
What Are the Benefits of Castor Oil?
There are many reported benefits of castor oil. Castor oil has been utilized in various traditional medicine systems for centuries. While scientific research on some of its purported benefits is limited, certain properties of castor oil have been studied, and anecdotal evidence supports its use in several areas:
Lymphatic Flow & Detox Support
Castor oil is often used to support lymphatic circulation and gentle detoxification. The Lymphatic System helps regulate immune function, remove waste, and keep fluids moving throughout the body, but it can become sluggish, especially with chronic stress or inactivity.
One of the earliest and most well-known advocates for using castor oil this way was Edgar Cayce, a 20th-century medical intuitive. He popularized using castor oil packs over specific areas of the body to “stimulate the eliminations,” enhance circulation, and improve overall vitality. His protocols, particularly when used with heat, are still widely referenced in integrative practices today.
Liver Support
In traditional and holistic medicine, the liver is central to detoxification, hormone regulation, and digestion. Castor oil packs applied over the liver area (upper right abdomen) are reported to support bile flow, relieve congestion, and enhance the liver’s natural drainage capacity. Many people use this practice to support mood, sleep, and menstrual health.
Digestive Health
Castor oil has a long history of use for digestive complaints, dating back to ancient Egypt and India, where it was valued as a natural remedy for constipation and abdominal discomfort. Taken internally, it acts as a stimulant laxative due to ricinoleic acid, which interacts with intestinal receptors to increase motility and promote bowel movements.
Internal use is less common today, but topical applications remain popular in holistic health. Castor oil packs applied over the abdomen are thought to support peristalsis, relieve bloating, and improve digestive flow, without the harsh effects of ingesting it.
Circulation & Inflammation
Historically, castor oil was used in folk medicine to ease joint pain or osteoarthritis, menstrual cramps, and swollen tissues, often paired with heat to amplify its warming, penetrating effects. Its thick consistency and high triglyceride content help retain warmth and moisture on the skin, which may further promote microcirculation in stagnant or congested areas.
Practitioners today often recommend castor oil packs or massages over joints, the lower back, or sore muscles to encourage blood flow and tissue repair—some also layer castor oil with warming botanicals (like ginger or cayenne) for added circulatory benefit.
Skin Barrier Repair
Due to its high triglyceride content and humectant properties, castor oil can help moisturize and protect the skin. It may benefit issues like eczema or dry skin, and its antimicrobial properties could assist in minor wound healing.
Hair and Eyelash Growth
There are no studies to date, but when applied to the scalp, eyelashes, or brows, castor oil has been said to improve the health of hair follicles, reduce breakage, and support growth over time. Its nourishing fats protect against dryness and help reduce inflammation around follicles, an often-overlooked factor in hair loss or thinning.
Traditional beauty practices in Jamaica, India, and Egypt have long used castor oil to nourish the scalp, strengthen hair, and encourage thick, healthy growth. In Jamaica, in particular, black castor oil (roasted before pressing) is widely used for hair restoration rituals and scalp massages.
Nervous System Relaxation
Castor oil’s grounding and warming nature may subtly support Nervous System balance, especially when applied to areas where the vagus nerve runs close to the surface, like the neck, upper chest, or abdomen. These “vagus nerve zones” are associated with parasympathetic activity, and many people report feeling calmer and more regulated after castor oil applications in these areas.
12 Ways to Use Castor Oil
Not sure how to use castor oil in your day-to-day routine? These ideas will help you bring it into your wellness habits easily.
1. Castor Oil Packs on the Abdomen and Pelvis
This is one of the most widely practiced ways to use castor oil today. Saturate a flannel cloth with castor oil and place it over your abdomen, liver, or pelvis, depending on your needs, then layer with plastic wrap and a heating pad for 45–60 minutes. This method is often used to support organ flow (like the liver or intestines) and has become a ritual for many during detox phases or cycle syncing.
2. Overnight Castor Oil Pack (No Heat)
Don’t have time to sit with a heated pack? Try applying a thin layer of castor oil directly to your abdomen before bed, then wear an old t-shirt or wrap to protect your sheets. This passive method still allows for gentle topical absorption while you sleep. While heat enhances absorption, this method still offers gentle support, especially when done consistently.
3. Castor Oil on the Neck for Lymphatic Flow
Apply a small amount under the jawline, behind the ears, and down the sides of the neck to encourage lymph drainage in areas that often hold tension or fluid. Gently massage downward toward the collarbones to follow lymphatic drainage pathways. Great after travel, during immune challenges, or when feeling puffy or congested.
4. Foot or Heel Massage Before Bed
Feet contain powerful reflexology points, making this a multi-purpose ritual for full-body calm. Massage a bit of castor oil into the soles of your feet before sleep. Its heavy, grounding texture can help calm the body and mind—an ideal addition to your nighttime wind-down.
5. Scalp Massage Treatment
Massage castor oil into the scalp and leave on for 30 minutes (or overnight with a wrap to prevent oil from transferring to bedding) before washing it out. This can help hydrate dry scalp, support follicle health, and refresh tired roots. Mix with lighter oils (like jojoba or coconut) to help spread it more easily.
6. Brow and Lash Conditioning
Apply a tiny amount to brows or lashes at night using a clean mascara wand or cotton swab. Avoid getting into the eyes. A very small amount goes a long way. While the evidence is anecdotal, this has long been a beauty ritual to help keep these delicate hairs hydrated and less prone to breakage.
7. Warm Compress on Sore Joints or Muscles
Apply castor oil to a tight or sore area, cover with a thin cloth, and apply a warm compress for 20–30 minutes. Especially useful post-workout, after long travel, or during seasonal flare-ups of joint discomfort.
8. Belly Button Oil Ritual (Pechoti Method-Inspired)
Place a few drops of castor oil in your navel before bed. This Ayurvedic–inspired practice is said to impact the nervous system and inner organ flow.
9. Layer Under Gentle Compression Wear
Rub some castor oil on the skin before wearing compression socks, abdominal wraps, or lymphatic support garments. This layering can enhance the warming and moving effects of compression therapies while nourishing the skin underneath.
10. Scar & Stretch Mark Massage
Used consistently over time, castor oil may help soften scar tissue and reduce the appearance of stretch marks due to its high content of fatty acids and skin-regenerating properties. Massage into the area daily, ideally after a warm shower.
11. Castor Oil Meditation Anchor
Some use a small dab over the heart center or on pulse points before breathwork or meditation as a grounding, warming anchor. The act of anointing can create a powerful mind-body connection during self-care or energetic rituals.
12. Toenail & Fungal Care
Castor oil’s antimicrobial activity makes it useful for stubborn nail or foot skin issues. Combine with tea tree oil or oregano oil and apply to clean feet or nails regularly.
Whether you’re supporting lymphatic drainage, digestive flow, or hormonal balance, learning how to use castor oil can open the door to gentle, at-home healing rituals that support your entire system.
There are so many ways to use castor oil, from castor oil packs to targeted massages, hair rituals, and nervous system grounding. Each method taps into a different layer of the body’s detox and regulation processes.
So if you’ve been curious about the benefits of castor oil, now is the time to explore how this single ingredient can nourish your skin, support your liver, move your lymph, and restore your flow—all without a complicated routine.
DISCLAIMER: Balanced Health, LLC/CBH Energetics and any parent, subsidiary, affiliated or related entities and companies do not provide medical advice or services. The bioenergetic products and services offered by Balanced Health, LLC/CBH Energetics including, but not limited to, bioenergetic tests, bioenergetic scans, bioenergetic reports and related products and services (collectively the “Bioenergetic Products and Services”) are designed for educational and informational purposes only and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, condition, complaint, illness or medical condition and are not a substitute for professional services or medical advice.
